Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 307: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount that has been spent on implementing the national road safety strategy annually from 1997 to 2004, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29811/04]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 308: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount that has been spent by his Department on implementing the national road safety strategy annually from 2002 to 2004, inclusive; the amount it is envisaged will be spent annually on the Road Safety Strategy 2004 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29812/04]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 307 and 308 together.

Funding made available to the road safety agencies under the aegis of my Department in 1997 amounted to approximately €10.65 million. The following table sets out the funding to the road safety agencies under the aegis of my Department on an annual basis, since 1998, the first full year of the operation of the Government Road Safety Strategy 1998 — 2002. Between 1998 and 2004, there has been significant and sustained increases in the funding made available to the road safety agencies under the aegis of my Department. Overall funding has grown from a total of €11.372 million in 1998 to €22.488 milion in 2004, a rise of 97.7%.

The overall Exchequer provision for road improvement and maintenance works, which have a significant impact on road safety, in 2004 on the national road network is €1.280 billion. This compares with an expenditure outturn of €1.223 billion in 2003. Local authorities receive funding for road improvements and remedial measures on non-national roads, which is not included in these figures. In addition, the funding made available for Garda operations supports the enforcement of road traffic law. That is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The 2005 Estimates include increased provisions for all of the road safety agencies. The specific allocation to safety-related aspects of the NRA's activities in 2005 and 2006 has not yet been finally determined. Funding for 2006 in respect of the National Safety Council and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety will be determined in the context of the 2006 Estimates process.

The success of implementing road safety policy as set out in the road safety strategy is critically dependent on major investment in resources by various Departments and their agencies. The Government remains committed to ongoing support for the pursuit of road safety policies.

In addition, my Department is chairing a steering group overseeing a cross-departmental review of road safety expenditure which will examine expenditure incurred over the lifetime of the road safety strategy. This will seek to evaluate the effectiveness of all public spending on road safety and, if necessary, recommend an adjustment in spending on particular policies and measures based on their effectiveness. The review will also seek to establish the impact of road safety performance on other areas, such as health and emergency services. The steering committee consists of representatives from the Departments of Transport, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Health and Children, Finance and Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A consultant has been engaged to carry out an analysis of road safety expenditure and is expected to report to the steering committee shortly.